Comments on: Freelance Stage Lighting Technician – The Inside Story

By: krister

krister — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:39:29 +0000

Hi, im doing a level 3 diploma in production arts at west herts college. going by what i’ve read it seems that i MAY be going the wrong way about getting “my foot in the door” as it were. the course covers everything! set designs&construction, ASM, DSM, LD, LX opp < sound design & opp , Production manager and Stage manager.
Am i doing the right thing to have a couple of bits of paper with shiny stamps on it to get a reasonably decent job in theatre or should i have slogged my balls of as a free casual and worked my way up from the verry bottom?

Also another question… if there's any other L.Ds on here that have done a version of a play named "the Whiz" could you sling some colour ideas over (lee filters preferably) and give some company names near hertfordshire for cheap wash moving head fixtures to hire?

By: christian verte

christian verte — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:45:25 +0000

Dear Sir,

i`m a sound & Recording engineer,i also work as stage light Technician for 6 years but i need a certificate so i want to follow a course for stage light technician so as to enable me to work with other company,thank

Regards

By: Kevin Quintero

Kevin Quintero — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:50:05 +0000

Hey there,
So I’m 19 at the moment and I’ve been doing lighting for theatrical productions since I was 14-15, but I especially want to get into becoming an electrician or LD for concert venues or touring bands. I’m in college currently majoring for a degree in technical theatre but I specialize in lighting. Now I’m from the States and I was just hoping to get your insight into how i can go about getting started at a venue or maybe as an apprentice to a LD already touring or at a venue. I already know a lot about lighting but I’d love to figure out a way to just get my foot in the door, learn from someone who’s in the business and then be able to do it myself. I feel completely lost and have no idea how to go about getting started. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

By: Neil Atkins

Neil Atkins — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 23:15:48 +0000

Thank you so much for this site It has given me a lot of things to think about. I am 41 and think I want to become a lighting tech. I’ll spare the long detailed explanation but it seems to combine creativity and technology which seems to make this square peg fit a round hole. I have been wondering if courses are really worth it for me I would I be better off trying to get in to a local theater and working my way up? I gather its tough getting in but when you are it becomes not easy as such but easier as you are in the right environment to network. Any advice that you could give would be welcome and if anyone with experience in the stevenage or london area has time for a face to face chat Id happily shout a few beers!

By: Arnis

Arnis — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:11:36 +0000

Hi!
Is problem for employers give job for me, if I haven`t go to any courses what is relevant with lights. I worked for 4 years with professional lights (I mean intelligent) and worked with avolite pearl(2000professional) as well. I have good skills working with sound and stage contractions. I think this is good bonus for employer.
Regards
Arnii

By: jake

jake — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 04:18:18 +0000

What is the going day rate for a Lighting Designer im 16 and doin tafe but want a job in lighting i have had experinse in linghting in school and i did do some riging and sound and some prodution

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:44:21 +0000

I’m at Wimbledon College of Art its part of University of the Arts London and the course is an FdA Lighting Design and Practice course. I would definitely recommend looking into it partly because it is in London and there is loads of work about in London and also because its a good course. But be prepared to work its long hours on the course and if you want to get the most out of it be prepared to be doing work placement at all different theatre’s around London in the evenings and weekends.

By: George Chatburn

George Chatburn — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:45:29 +0000

Hi Sam,

I will shortly be finishing my A-Levels and have been looking around for uni courses. I would find it very useful if you could answer a few questions for me…

What university are you at?
Whats the name of the course?

Thanks in advance.

By: Perry Macro

Perry Macro — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:23:03 +0000

hello i’m perry,
i’m leaving school this time and wanting to become a lighting technician i have been working on some shows at the local youth theater and in school i want to know the best way to become professional and what course will be best to take and which are the most relevant i live in Burnley and would like to go to a college round here if possible PLEASE help me

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:30:09 +0000

Hi i’m doing a Foundation degree in Lighting Design in London. Its 5 days a week every day and part of that is an Electrical Installation course. I moved to London in September 2009 an I have never had so much before. My course is 90% practical and 10% theory all based around theatre lighting. I’m currently working as a Lighting Techy as well which is more than funding my course. As part of the course I do 5 weeks work placement which can be paid or unpaid this is just in the first year. I’m currently on the Casuals list in 3 London theatre’s which have paid me upto £40/hour on ‘get outs’.
I would definitely agree to do a course in Lighting if you have little or no experience you only realise how little you know until you have someone ask you questions. I’m now earning enough to pay my fees and allow me to live in London comfortably but be prepared to work some stupid hours. But my main point is that there is some good courses out there but you only get out of them what you put in make sure the course is over 90% practical you learn nothing sitting behind a desk an make sure your prepared to make friends in the industry.